Saab 9-5 Sportwagon (2011 – 2011) Review

January 2011

Saab 9-5 Sportwagon offers smart cargo handling features which include an adaptable multi-fold floor, flexible U-rail load space configuration and under-floor stowage with a sealed wet storage compartment. A programmable, powered tailgate is also available.

Same all-turbo petrol and diesel powertrain line-up as 9-5 saloon. 9-5 SportWagon can be fitted with Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system and advanced features such as: Saab DriveSense adaptive chassis control, adaptive cruise control (late 2012), Bi-Xenon SmartBeam adaptive lighting, keyless entry and starting, tri-zone air conditioning and a Head-up Display which projects information, aircraft-style in the windshield.

Order book for 9-5 SportWagon open from Spring 2011, with first customer deliveries September 2011. It will significantly broaden the appeal of the new 9-5 range in a segment where Saab, with its tradition for designing versatile vehicles, has enjoyed estate sales volumes on a par with saloon levels.

Designed in parallel with the saloon, the 9-5 SportWagon shares the same bold frontal styling and adds a swept, ‘wraparound’ rear window graphic. This echoes the 9-5’s signature frontal theme and gives the SportWagon its own distinctive identity. The dramatic, sweeping roof-line is extended by a deep rear spoiler integrated into the top of the tailgate. Ultra-slim roof rails that blend into the car’s svelte silhoutte are fitted as standard.

Signature Saab themes, such as the strong C-pillar with its hockey stick extension of the belt-line, are combined with a prominent rear shoulder contour to give the SportWagon a muscular and dynamic stance.

The tailgate is raked forward to underline the car’s dynamic character. Itfeatures a full-width ‘ice-block’ rear light bar which wraps into light units at either side, continuing a new signature Saab styling theme first seen on the 9-5 saloon and 9-4X crossover.

The deep cargo deck is fully carpeted and optimized for space and ease-of-use. The 60/40 split rear seatbacks fold down almost completely flat without having to reposition the seat squab or remove the head restraints. Careful attention to soundproofing in the rear bodywork attenuates noise, vibration and resonance so that occupants enjoy a level of interior refinement similar to that of the saloon.

With the seatbacks lowered, the cargo deck is almost two metres long (1,962 mm) and offers an adaptable load capacity of up to 1,600 liters (527 litres, rear seats up). The side walls are completely flat and upright, creating a clean, open space without any hard-to-use corners or rear wheel-arch intrusions. Compartments in the side walls offer convenient stowage for small items. Four tie-down loops and a 12-volt power outlet also come as standard.

An optional, U-shaped track around the outside of the floor provides flexible space configuration. As in the 9-5 saloon, it carries an adaptable, telescopic dividing rail which allows the cargo deck to be split as required so that different sized items can be separated and kept in place.

The floor, with a signature Saab aircraft-shaped handle, folds back in steps to access under-floor storage, with a sub-floor 65 mm below the main floor height - ideal for the separate stowage of flat or small items.

A pull-out support arm can be slotted in place to keep the folded floor in a fixed position. This provides further support for items stored in the under-floor recess, as a flexible alternative to using the entire cargo deck.

The underside of the floor has two fittings for flat stowage of the U-rail divider. They also carry hooks that can be used to organize bags, for example. A waterproof plastic liner, available as an option, can be dropped into the recess to provide a separate wet storage area for sports equipment, outdoor clothing or muddy boots.

For additional convenience, the tailgate is available with a remotely-controlled, electric power operation. It can be fully opened and closed via a rotary knob in the driver’s door or a button on the car’s key fob. A touch pad on the outside of the tailgate, above the number plate, also triggers powered opening and closing.

A programmable mode can be used to raise the tailgate to a lower position if there is restricted clearance overhead, such as inside a garage. The opening height is pre-set via the rotary knob, which can also disable the powered function.

For ease of loading, the tailgate opens down to bumper level with a lift-over height of only 648 mm. The cargo deck floor is also flush with the tailgate opening to facilitate sliding heavy loads inside. A down-lighter in the tailgate and small sidewall lights provide excellent illumination of the load space at night.

A retracting cargo cover can also be slotted into lugs in the sidewalls immediately behind the rear seats. It keeps items out of sight and includes a convenient one-touch action which allows the ends of the locating bar to slide up channels on the inside of the D-pillars for convenient access to the cargo deck.

February 2011

World Premiere:

After some delay, the Saab 9-5 SportWagon made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, 1st March 2011.

June 2011

Saab 9-5 Sportwagon officially announced

The Saab 9-5 range is substantially extended and improved for Model Year 2012 by the introduction of the recently announced SportWagon and a series of enhancements, including further reduced emissions for all engines.

The much awaited SportWagon adds five-door versatility to the acclaimed attributes of the 9-5 Saloon, providing a distinctive, alternative choice for premium wagon customers. It is expected to become a major player in a vehicle segment where Saab, with its tradition for designing sporty but practical vehicles, has previously enjoyed sales volumes even higher than saloon levels.

Both the 9-5 Saloon and the SportWagon benefit from more efficient diesel and petrol engines, all of which deliver reduced CO 2 emissions and improved fuel consumption. Refinements include a host of fine-tuning measures and the introduction of Start/Stop functionality. Emissions are reduced on average across the range by 4.7% percent.

Saab chassis engineers have also made the latest 9-5 range even more fun to drive. Extensive testing and development work on UK roads has achieved greater ride refinement, particularly on rough surfaces.

Inside, the spacious cabin is given a new look with the addition of metallic-like trim finishes for both Vector SE and Aero variants. Satellite navigation and digital radio (DAB) also become standard on all models.

The order book for the latest 9-5 range is now open with customer deliveries commencing in Autumn 2011. The all-turbo powertrain line-up, with a choice of two diesel and three petrol engines, provides a power bandwith from 160 hp to 300 hp. On-the-road prices range from £26,995 to £39,195, the SportWagon adding five-door versatility at a price premium of just £1,200 over the Saloon.

After making its world premiere at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the New 9-5 SportWagon now takes Saab back into the mid-size, premium wagon segment, where the brand enjoyed great success with its popular predecessor.

Designed in parallel with its Saloon counterpart, the SportWagon shares the same bold frontal styling and adds a dramatic, ‘wraparound’ rear window graphic under a sweeping roof line which is extended by a deep rear spoiler. Imposing looks and a low slung stance give the car a dynamic visual appeal that concedes nothing to the requirements of load carrying practicality.

The deep cargo deck is optimised for space and ease-of-use. The 60/40 split rear seatbacks fold down almost completely flat without having to move the seat squab or remove the head restraints. Careful attention to soundproofing in the rear bodywork attenuates noise, vibration and resonance so that rear occupants enjoy a level of interior refinement similar to that of the saloon.

With the seatbacks lowered, the cargo deck is over six feet long and offers an adaptable load capacity of up to 1,600 litres, or 527 litres with the rear seats up. The side walls are completely flat and upright, creating a clean, open space without any hard-to-use corners or rear wheel arch intrusions. Compartments in the side walls and under the floor offer convenient stowage for small items.

Aluminium roof rails, an adaptable U-rail cargo management system, a retractable cargo cover and a 12-volt power outlet all come as standard. For additional convenience, the tailgate is also available with a remotely controlled, electric power operation.

A series of fine-tuning measures have improved the efficiency of all 9-5 engines, delivering an average CO2reduction and fuel consumption improvement of 4.7%. To encourage economical driving, a gear shift indicator is now fitted as standard in the main instrument display for all manual transmission variants.

With projected emissions of just 125g/km (Saloon) and 128g/km (SportWagon), the 160 hp, 2.0-litre TiD engine with manual transmission now delivers outstanding efficiency. They qualify for zero-rated excise duty and benefit-in-kind company car taxation of only 18 percent.

In combination with manual transmission, this engine features Start/Stop functionality as standard. It automatically stops running when neutral is selected and the clutch is released, and restarts when the clutch pedal is pressed to engage gear.

The standard chassis for Vector SE models now features improved ride and handling qualities following a development programme by Saab test drivers across challenging UK road conditions. The suspension adopts revised front spring rates, damper settings and bushings.

The Aero chassis has also been upgraded with the fully adaptive DriveSense function, featuring real-time damping control and variable effort hydraulic power steering, now fitted as standard. Advanced HiPer strut, independent steering axis, front suspension and multi-link H-arm rear suspension also becomes standard for all Aero variants.

Saab XWD, the industry-leading all-wheel-drive system, now includes an electronic, limited-slip differential (eLSD) as standard on Aero XWD models.

Improvements for Model Year 2012 also extend to the 9-5’s cabin with generous equipment levels and new cabin décor trims. All variants are now fitted as standard with a DAB digital radio and satellite navigation, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and hard disc storage for map data. Vector SE models also gain a multi-colour main instrument display.

Cabin ambience is further improved with the introduction of new dashboard fascia decor. Vector SE interior features a ‘brushed metal’ look for the main instrument panel, which is complemented by a ‘black pearl’ finish for the centre console and door trims. Aero models are distinguished by a ‘mesh metal’ effect for the instrument panel and door trims, while featuring a ‘black pearl’ centre console finish.

To improve rearward vision when parking, a rear view camera is offered as an option. It is mounted above the rear number plate and an image is shown on the 8-inch colour screen in the main instrument panel.

A state-of-the-art Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) function is also available in combination with automatic transmission and a Head-Up Display (HUD). It offers more relaxing and less stressful driving, particularly in slow-moving, congested traffic conditions.

ACC uses a radar system mounted behind the front grille then automatically adjusts the selected speed to maintain a safe gap to the vehicle on the road ahead. Full distance control is provided from 112 mph (where legally permitted) down to a standstill. Should the vehicle in front come to a complete stop, ACC is re-engaged by a short push on accelerator pedal. A Following Distance Indicator (FDI) showsthe distance to the vehicle in front, and Forward Collision Alert (FCA) provides a warning in the main information display and the HUD if the vehicle ahead is too close.